Huddersfield Town sent a defiant message to the Premier League's bottom half with their performance and result at Wolves.

David Wagner's side, posting their first away league success since February, showed they are far from ready to be written off in the top-flight survival stakes.

It was a display of tenacity, tactical awareness and no little skill to chalk a 2-0 scoreline and jump out of the relegation zone with a third of the season gone.

So here are some key things we learned from the Town display at Molineux, where the blue and white stripes have been beaten just once in 10 visits over the last 30 years.

1) Aaron Mooy could be a big miss for Town in January

Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy stole the headlines with his match-winning two-goal haul against Wolves.

They were the playmaker's first strikes for the club since his double in the 4-1 win at Watford almost a year ago.

More importantly, however, they capped an excellent personal performance in which he thrived alongside his central colleagues.

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Even though he had travelled a total of 21,220 miles during the previous week, Mooy recovered to deliver a truly telling performance, covering 7.5 miles during the match (more than any Wolves player).

It shows why he'll be massively missed when he joins up with Australia in January for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

The Aussies kick off against Jordan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, January 6, and should they progress fully in the tournament the final is not due to be played until February 1.

If Mooy is called away at New Year to prepare with his national squad, he could miss the Premier League matches against Burnley, Cardiff, Manchester City, Everton and Chelsea, in addition to a potential FA Cup fifth round encounter.

So Arsenal at home on February 9 could be Mooy's first Town appearance of 2019.

Should the Socceroos be eliminated then, obviously, he will be back sooner.

So, for the record, the Round of 16 matches are on January 20, 21 and 22, while the quarter-finals are on January 24 and 25. The semi-finals are on January 28 and 29.

Tommy Smith is challenged by Wolves' Adama Traore

2) Tommy Smith shows why he is club captain

With Mathias 'Zanka' Jorgensen suspended at Wolves, head coach David Wagner turned to Tommy Smith to play as his third central defender.

And the 26-year-old showed exactly why he's club captain - even though he's not a regular starter - with an accomplished display.

Not only did he defend stoutly despite being booked in only the 16th minute for a forceful challenge on Helder Costa, but he also played some astute balls in behind the Wolves defence.

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That aerial pass into the channels is something Town could use to their advantage a lot more, especially with Steve Mounie and Alex Pritchard as willing runners, and Wolves certainly didn't like being penned back into the corners.

He led out the line, advised his younger colleagues throughout and clearly has the respect of his colleagues.

A real clubman and valuable squad player.

3) Jonathan Hogg is a leader whether he's got the armband or not

Jonathan Hogg was outstanding at the base of Town's midfield at Molineux.

The 29-year-old did not have the captain's armband because of the return of Tommy Smith for the first time since August, but it didn't make a difference.

He bossed the centre of the park and was first for touches of the ball with 106, passes (85), tackles (7), possession gained (17) and distance covered (12.3km, or 7.6 miles).

While those statistics are impressive on their own, Hogg dictated the play and allowed colleagues Philip Billing, Aaron Mooy and Alex Pritchard to flourish.

No wonder Paul Ince described it as the "perfect performance from a central midfield player".

Town's Steve Mounie is denied by keeper Rui Patricio. Picture by John Rushworth

4) A goal is coming for hard-working striker Steve Mounie

Pretty much the only thing missing from the victorious performance at Molineux was a goal for Steve Mounie.

The big Benin international ran his heart out for the team and proved a massive aerial threat which Wolves couldn't handle.

One powerful header from a set piece went straight at keeper Rui Patricio while another was blocked near the line by Matt Doherty.

Mounie also had the confidence to test Patricio with a 30-yard drive and it was a shame, late on, that his best shooting chance was drilled high and wide, because he had more time than he though to properly set himself.

But, playing like he is at the moment, the signing from Montpellier won't have to wait long to get his name on the scoresheet and, having netted a double at home against Brighton last season, maybe it will be as soon as this coming weekend.

5) Now Town need to back up with a win against Brighton

Having picked up seven points from the last nine, Town now need to back up with another victory at home to Brighton on Saturday.

It won't be easy, because 12th-placed Brighton, five points ahead of David Wagner's men, now know exactly what they will be up against.

And Town could be down another place to 16th by the time of kick-off should Cardiff City beat Wolves on Friday night.